By Hosea Parah
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the procurement of brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for newly upgraded traditional rulers across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this in Abuja at the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Rally and unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates, organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Press, Office of the FCT Minister, Rabi Musa Umar.
The rally brought together traditional rulers, the six area council chairmen, leaders of indigenous communities, youth and women groups, and party leaders across divides, including the APC and PDP Chairmen in the FCT, who jointly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in 2027, alongside Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for FCT Senate, Hon John Gabaya for Abuja North and Hon Danladi Chiya for Abuja South Federal Constituencies.
According to the statement, the minister attributed the presidential gesture on SUVs to recognition of the vital roles traditional rulers play in preserving culture and maintaining peace, noting that the President’s approval of the upgrade of traditional stools, which was abandoned for 27 years, underscores his commitment to the FCT.
“Mr President has said that you cannot just answer royal fathers by mouth. You cannot just answer royal fathers by entering Keke Napep. You cannot answer royal fathers by entering Okada. That all of you, by the grace of God, before December, you will go with your SUV cars.
“If there is any traditional institution that needs to be treated well, that needs empowerment, it’s the traditional institution of the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement quoted Wike as saying.
Charging supporters to translate endorsement into votes, the FCT Minister declared a strict grassroots mandate ahead of the January 16, 2027 election.
“Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward, deliver your local government, deliver your state,” he said.
He warned against claiming victory without grassroots contribution.
“I don’t want to hear: I lost my polling unit, but we won. If you lose your polling unit, don’t say we won because you never contributed to the victory. So, everybody go home, it’s an operation to deliver your polling unit.
“We shall never make the mistake we made in 2023. When you realise a mistake, you correct it. To God be the glory, come January 2027, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda will be elected because he identifies with you and cares about you,” Wike said, questioning whether the incumbent Senator had ever called constituents for a meeting or moved a bill for FCT.
To empower youth mobilisation for the election, the minister announced President Tinubu’s approval of four buses for FCT youths and fixed November 10 for an interactive session with youths across the six area councils.
He also promised a separate engagement with persons with disabilities, stressing that “disability does not mean you do not have capacity”.